A Jupiter couple is suing a local Kava bar, claiming their herbal drink was nearly as addicting as heroin.

Michael and Erica Siegal said they visited the Purple Lotus Kava Bar in West Palm Beach, thinking they were drinking a coffee-like herbal tea. After months of consumption, they claim they became addicted and spent thousands of dollars on rehab and therapy to quit the drink.

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“They tried to get off of it," said their attorney, Gary Russo. "That's when they went through withdrawals, insomnia and headaches. They just want people to know. They don't want anybody to go through what they went through.”

Thousands of people visit Kava bars across South Florida each year. The drink, often served in a coconut, can relax muscles and ease pain. It’s a traditional beverage in Southeast Asia. Locals in Fiji use it for medicinal purposes.

Purple Lotus owner James Scianno released a statement responding to the lawsuit:

“We are shocked and puzzled by the Siegels’ claim. We have been in operation for 10+ years with thousands of customers and have never had any experiences such as this. Kava's track record speaks for itself.”

Addiction therapists, like Dr. Robert Moran, said Kava’s main ingredient – Kratom – is the real problem. An opiate, Kratom has been called addictive by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Moran said he sees patients coming in with severe withdrawal symptoms.

“If they stop abruptly, they experience a full withdrawal, much like heroin withdrawal,” said Moran, who prescribes his addicted patients the same drug used to treat heroin addiction. “It's not a surprise that the treatments for (Kratom) withdrawal are going to be the same.”